Campus & community

Notice anything different? Hint: New buildings, other improvements

A guide to all the additions and renovations to the Berkeley campus that were completed this summer

By Joel Bahr

August 20, 2018

As UC Berkeley’s bears roll back onto campus, they’ll notice some changes. From new construction projects to renovations and upkeep on some of Berkeley’s most iconic buildings, here’s a breakdown:

David Blackwell Hall

2401 Durant Ave. at Dana

A brand new student housing facility — the first to open on campus since 2012 — is now home to more than 700 first-year students, as well as study spaces, bike racks, an exercise room and gorgeous views of San Francisco Bay. The LEED Gold building was designed to be highly sustainable. For example, lighting systems in common areas dim when no one is nearby, and a rain-filtering system reduces the building’s impact on Berkeley’s sewer system.

Stiles Hall, the community service center and home of the Berkeley Underground Scholars and Berkeley Scholars programs, has a sleek new space on the first floor. Take a peek inside.

An eight-story glass building, adorned with freshly planted trees on the corner of Shattuck and Hearst Avenues

Berkeley Way West, one of the campus’ recent completed construction projects, is the new home of the psychology department and the schools of education and public health. (School of Public Health photo by Hewitt Photography)

Berkeley Way West

1919 Shattuck Ave. at Hearst

This new eight-story, LEED Silver building near campus is taking over for the seismically challenged and soon-to-be razed Tolman Hall nearby. Three retail spaces on the ground floor are getting their finishing details, while the upper floors already are buzzing with activity. The psychology department and the schools of education and public health have all relocated to 1919 Shattuck.

The building’s top three floors are currently being leased out to help offset construction costs. In future years, they will provide room for the university’s growth.

Rows of chairs face a projector in the newly renovated auditorium in Wheeler Hall. On the outside of the row, small lights illuminate the aisles towards the center lectern.

The auditorium in Wheeler Hall has been renovated with new floors, chairs and lighting. (UC Berkeley photo by Jeremy Snowden)

Wheeler Auditorium

This 101-year-old academic building designed by John Galen-Howard, at the heart of campus, underwent major renovations in 2016, when modern systems of heating and cooling, telecommunications, roofing and waterproofing were installed and accessibility was improved. A new phase of upgrades took place over the summer. The auditorium got new seats, more accessibility improvements were made and new flooring, finishes, audio/visual and ventilation systems were installed.

 

Concert goers are bathed in purple light during a live, nighttime music concert at the Greek Theatre on UC Berkeley's campus

UC Berkeley’s Greek Theatre is undergoing a small renovation that will increase the size the of concession areas and add bathrooms to the 115-year-old amphiteater. (Photo by Sterling Munksgard)

The Greek Theatre

2001 Gayley Road

Changes underway at the Greek include a new north plaza intended to enhance audience gathering spaces. Concession facilities are being enlarged and four new restrooms are being added. The improvements are set to be done later this fall.

 

Elsewhere on and around campus

  • Throughout the summer, many of the lampposts on campus have been retrofitted with new LED lights. Extra, new lampposts are expected to be added soon.
  • The temporary parking lot west of Evans Hall that had been used for the Campbell Hall construction project has been restored to green space.
  • New eateries have sprouted at the MLK Student Union and in Eshleman Hall.
  • Shattuck Studios (2711 Shattuck Ave. at Ward), a four-story housing complex, will house 21 graduate students.